February 8, 2023

How to Access and Use the Online Benefits Enrollment System or Stand-alone Tobacco Attestation Form

admin Posted On October 5, 2016
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To access the online Benefits Enrollment System or Tobacco Attestation form, first visit the Employee Self Service (ESS) web page (or, search for ESS from any MCPS web page).

If you ARE making changes to your benefits and/or ARE enrolling in a 2017 FSA

The Tobacco Attestation form is included in the online Benefits Enrollment System. From the  ESS web page follow these steps:

  1. Click on the Open Enrollment link, found under the blue My Benefits banner.
  2. Log in using your Outlook username and password. Read the welcome message and click Continue.
  3. Electronically sign the online affidavit to certify the information you are submitting is true, accurate, and complete.
  4. Attest to your and, if married, your spouse’s 2016 tobacco-use status.
  5. Read about any Wellness Initiatives credits you may receive for 2017, and click Submit.
  6. Review information about your dependents and make any needed updates.
  7. Review your 2016 benefits.
  8. Follow the on-screen instructions to enroll in or make desired changes to your benefits and/or enroll in your 2017 FSA(s).
  9. Enter your life insurance beneficiary(ries) into the system (optional).
  10. Review your benefit elections for 2017 and click Finish if satisfied with them.
  11. View and print your benefit confirmation statement.

If you ARE NOT making changes to your benefits and ARE NOT enrolling in a 2017 Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

You can save time by using the stand-alone Tobacco Attestation form. To make your tobacco-use attestation(s), do the following:

  1. Click on the Tobacco attestation link found under the blue My Benefits banner;
  2. Log in using your Outlook username and password;
  3. Answer the question about your and, if married, your spouse’s 2016 tobacco-use;
  4. Read about any Wellness Initiatives credits you may receive for 2017; and
  5. Click Submit.

Some tips on submitting changes:

PLEASE DO

  • Check your benefits confirmation to ensure that your changes have been made correctly. Print and keep your 2017 Employee Benefit Enrollment and Change Confirmation or the Outlook e-mail confirmation that you receive.
  • Scan and upload any required supporting documentation to the Benefit Enrollment System.

If you are unable to scan and upload required supporting documentation to the Benefit Enrollment System, you will need to submit this information to the Employee and Retiree Service Center in one fax or e-mail no later than November 4, 2016.

  • Include your name and employee identification number on supporting documentation.

When submitting hard copies of supporting documentation, please display your name and employee identification number prominently in the upper right corner of each page.

PLEASE DO NOT

  • Call or e-mail ERSC for confirmation that you have submitted your online benefits enrollment.
  • Fax supporting documentation during the final 48 hours of Open Enrollment, when fax traffic is heaviest.
  • Send multiple e-mails or faxes. ERSC receives many documents during Open Enrollment; if your supporting documents are separated, ERSC staff will be unable to attribute them to you.
  • Attempt to send a paper enrollment form. Benefit enrollments during Open Enrollment are conducted online only and paper submissions will NOT be accepted.
  • Forget to keep a copy of your confirmation statement.